Mohamed Amin Bessioud death during Cosenza police search sparks investigation

Mohamed Amin Bessioud, a 25‑year‑old of Tunisian origin living in Cosenza, Italy, died after falling from the third‑floor balcony of his apartment during a Carabinieri search. The search uncovered about 150 grams of hashish. His family has filed a formal complaint with the Cosenza public prosecutor, demanding a full inquiry into the police operation and questioning whether handcuffs were used. A neighbour testified that Bessioud was not handcuffed at the time of the fall, contradicting early reports that suggested he was restrained. The prosecutor has received the Carabinieri’s report and begun interviews with witnesses and the young man’s acquaintances.

Bessioud had been participating in a drug‑addiction recovery program and had previously faced legal issues, including a ten‑month sentence for a prior possession case. His mother, Nabila, told protesters that "my son did not jump on his own, they let him fall and then stepped on him while he was dying," alleging pressure and a forced medical assessment. Around 300 people gathered outside the police headquarters, joined by the Bishop of Cosenza, Monsignor Giovanni Checchinato, and local political representatives, demanding truth and justice.